Author's Note: I know it's been long, seriously long since I last updated. And yeah, I am alive - no ghost is dancing over my keyboard. The last couple of years saw me neck deep in postgrad university and job-hunting which left me not enough time for a shut-eye, let alone anything else. But now, as I am slowly getting order back in my life (yeah, graduated and got a job...finally!), I decided to take my incomplete works one at a time and start updating them. I hope you guys like the new chappie!
Chapter 4: Highway
Kanda sat outside the interview hall, twiddling his thumbs. It was almost eight, and the last candidate was being interviewed by Mana. Neah had left couple of hours ago for a meeting with the joint board – atleast that was what Arise told him when she had plopped down next to him with a cup of coffee.
Never in his wildest dreams had he expected to meet Lenalee Lee in the Crown Corp's cafeteria. He could not help but notice the tell-tale signs of sadness in her eyes, same as that fateful hospital encounter all those years ago. And he could not believe that she was friends with the Lavi Buchmann, the person he would supposedly work for if he ended up getting selected.
Karma really did bite where it hurts.
He felt his phone buzz in his blazer pocket.
It was a text from his brother Alma
How was it? Killed it?
He could not help but smile at his brother's excitement. Alma had been devastated when Kanda had told him about his wish of not joining into the family business but later, he gave in to Kanda's thoughts and wishes. And since then, he had always supported Kanda as much as he could.
Did my best. Awaiting the results. How's Mom holding the cold?
Alma: Mom's fine – it was a minor climate change thingy, nothing to worry about. We would be leaving for Kyoto tomorrow anyways so bye bye London rains! You nervous?
Kanda: A little.
Kanda hesitated a little before typing. I met Lenalee.
Alma's response was immediate – the phone began to buzz as Alma's call flashed on his phone.
"Before you ask anything, I'm fine, Alma," Kanda sighed into the phone. Even though Alma was older than him by five years, he still acted way immature at times.
"What did she say? Don't tell me she is buddies with Neah!" Alma practically screamed.
"Relax. I trust my abilities more. Besides, she is more mature, calmer than I would have been in her situation," Kanda said with a placating air, a sad smile on his lips.
"She did not trouble my little brother now, did she?" Alma demanded.
"No, she did not. Don't get all worked up – help mom and dad in packing," Kanda said. He saw the last candidate exit the interview room with a tired expression on his face – the interview had not even lasted ten minutes.
"Alma, I am disconnecting for now. I will call you after dinner," Kanda said and before his brother could protest, he disconnected.
He placed his mobile phone back into his blazer pocket, feeling uncharacteristically jittery. Granted, he did not pin up his existence on getting selected today but still, he did perform the best he could.
He crossed his fingers in his jacket as he willed himself to calm down – getting worked up won't do anyone good. A loud silence filled the area as Arise came out of the room, wearing a grim, professional expression. She surveyed the crowd, locked onto him for a second and gave an almost-impossible-to-detect nod of her head.
"Thank you all for coming, it means a lot to us when such amazing people dream of working with us. It means we are doing something good. Unfortunately, even though saying no to you guys, you incredible people with such powerhouses of talent and experience, is difficult, it must be done. But do not let it bog you down – you are the top cream of the cream in this field and wherever you go, you are bound to shine."
She sighed, a small smile now perking up the corner of her lips.
"Now, to business. The candidates I will call out now would need to stay back – Neah and Mana would like to meet with you. As you all know, the Design Department had three open positions this year – Chief Architect, Interior Design Consultant who will also be working with Cross Marian and the Interior Design Department and Executive Assistant to the Chief of Design Lavi Buchmann."
Kanda felt as if he was breathing through wool, a dull ringing in his ears amplified by the rushing of blood. He suddenly felt light-headed and held on to the railing to prevent himself from crumpling. He swore he saw Arise give an imperceptible smirk in his direction.
"Crown Corporation feels great pride in welcoming Trevor Kahn as the new Chief Architect. Congratulations, Trevor!"
A tall, slightly gaunt looking man with a shock of black hair and grey eyes in a dark blue suit bowed slightly in acknowledgement. Kanda had heard of Trevor Kahn, he was one of the celebrated architects in Beverly Hills until the firm he worked for got embroiled in a tax evasions case and was grounded. He was almost Architectural Digest's version of a center-page spread – his designs were legendary, and many celebrities made a beeline for him when houses needed to be designed. Although many suggested that he open his own design firm, his utter lack of financial senses was the reason he went bankrupt within two months of opening shop.
No wonder he made the cut.
"As the Interior Design Consultant, we would be honoured to have Anastasia Stormholt on board."
A short, lithe girl with waist-length wavy strawberry blonde hair tipped with salmon, sun-tanned with piercing green eyes and clad in a dark green ruffled blouse and black pants gave a soft, relieved smile.
"For the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Design, it was a hard task. The post demanded experience, that was given. But also, it demanded the mental fortitude to work at the pace of Lavi Buchmann, who you all know is an eccentric genius. A tough call, but I really hope Yuu Kanda can deliver and prove that the faith Neah and Mana have placed on him is not misplaced."
It took Kanda almost a minute to realise that Arise was talking about him. He stood up straighter and inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment, trying to clamp down upon the heady storm of emotions threatening to take over his being.
He couldn't believe it.
He actually did it!
*/*/*
Lenalee was sitting in the coffee shop, a regular haunt of hers where she often sat – study when she was in college, fill up job application forms when she was job-hunting and people-watch when she finally got into Crown Corp. It was not one of those impersonal gigantic sit-eat-rush diner-cafes that have mushroomed up in the last few years in the Central District, rather it was small, quaint and cozy where the owner still used filter paper and a manual French Press to brew coffee. The fireplace, now dark and quiet, roared a happy warmth in the winter nights as it let a quiet sense of contentment seep into its patrons. The large, all-glass walls opened out to the busy sidewalk and Lenalee loved to huddle up in the oversized chintz armchair with a mug of fresh coffee and stare at the sea of humanity and rushed past her.
Hallison's Coffee Shop had now almost become a second home to her and Mr. Richard Hallison, the owner, knew her moods and the orders that went with them. For instance, happy mood in a hot summer afternoon meant an icy cold lemon tea with grilled chicken iceberg salad. Melancholy days meant hot chocolate topped with thick whipped cream and gooey choco-chip cookies fresh from the oven. Frantic days demanded double-black macchiato with chicken, ham and cheese sandwich while days in which she was lost to her thoughts required Hallison's home brew of coffee spiked with Bailey's Irish Cream and buttered bagels.
Like today.
Lenalee pulled her knees closer to her chest, cocooning herself in the shawl so that only her head and her hands cradling the coffee mug were exposed. It was almost nine, and the people outside were mostly those on their way back home from offices or on their way to dinner with friends or family. Some happy, some tired, some delighted at the prospect of going back to their families after a long day, some worried – Lenalee loved to watch people and try and dive into their minds, try and see the world the way they might be viewing. It was an exercise that proved to be good distraction for the mind.
She did not want to think about Yuu Kanda.
She did not want to think about that fateful phone call – the one that made her world go from technicolor to shades of grey.
Oh Allen! How I miss you, my dear brother!
She sipped her coffee, feeling the caffeine and the alcohol warm her a bit. Mr. Hallison was certainly not stingy when it came to spiking drinks.
There was a light tinkle of a bell when the shop door opened, and she did not need to see to know the new arrival - the smell of stale cigarette and wood smoke was as unique as any social security number.
"Sorry I'm late, Lena Lady. Was caught with the newbies," Lavi said quickly, flopping down on the armchair and swiping off an untouched bagel from her plate.
"You look hungry," Lenalee commented, trying to keep the smile off her face. Lavi may be a genius and head of one the busiest and crucial departments of one of the biggest organizations but still he could look like a college student who had an exam in hours and had studied nothing for it.
Lenalee giggled lightly at the thought.
"What?" Lavi managed to say with a mouth full of bagel.
Lenalee just smiled and shook her head.
"It's nothing."
Mr. Hallison placed a platter of fried chicken fingers, lamb stir fry and plain olive-oil tossed spaghetti sprinkled with burnt garlic on the table and slid a bottle of cold beer to Lavi.
"More coffee, miss?" Mr. Hallison asked in his usual brusque voice.
Lenalee shook her head. "Thank you, Mr. Hallison but I think I have moped enough."
She swore Mr. Hallison's ruddy, weathered face broke into a grin as he stepped away from their table.
"That Kanda guy is now my Executive Assistant, Lena," Lavi said without warning as he opened the beer bottle with his teeth and chugged down the liquid gratefully.
Lenalee froze.
"What?" she enunciated slowly in a low voice, unwilling to believe what Lavi had said just now.
No! Kanda can't be here! He just can't!
"You heard what I said, Lena," Lavi said, twirling his fork in the spaghetti, his lone green eye piercing hers like a point laser. "Let it go. Professionally, that guy's brilliant. I can't see the other way and deprive him what he deserves just because you hate him."
Hate him? He doesn't deserve my hatred, he deserves annihilation!
Lavi reached out across the table and placed his tanned over Lenalee's. She looked away from him, preferring to watch the flickering lights outside.
"Lena, trust me. Let your anger go. I'm not telling you to be best buddies with him – for your sake, let go of that anger. Look ahead, you have got a bright future. From what I've learnt from you, Allen wouldn't have wanted you to mope around and become blood-thirsty for vengeance," Lavi said softly, rubbing his thumb over her wrist in circles in an attempt to calm her down.
Deep within her heart she knew Lavi was right. Nothing came on maintaining a grudge – it was not healthy. Not to mention the fact that it shaded her life and made everything dull. Lavi did bring a dash of freshness but it disappeared whenever he wasn't around.
She could almost see Allen stand on the other side of the glass, wearing his favourite black hoodie and jeans with a soft smile dancing on his lips.
Let it go, Lenalee, he said, his grey eyes holding nothing but love and warmth.
Go, live your life. You've suffered, even though it wasn't your fault at all.
*/*/*
Allen stared at the email on his laptop screen. Fou had forwarded him an email and judging from its contents, someone was hellbent on signing him up.
Fou had added a footnote to the email, though.
Do whatever you want to, don't come scurrying to me for advice.
Allen couldn't help but smile at the line. To an outsider, Fou's message might come across as rude but he knew her enough to know that it was her style of telling him that he was old enough and she trusted him to take decisions henceforth.
Thanks, Fou.
He scrolled below to read the email again.
Dear Fou La
On behalf of Crown Records, I am writing this email to ask you about the latest Internet sensation who is known as the Black Order. Mana Walker is keen to restart Crown Records and it would be a matter of immense pride and gratitude if you could help us secure a meeting with Black Order. We have a proposal to discuss with the person managing Black Order.
If you could provide us with any leads, we would be eternally grateful for that. Mr. Walker also takes this opportunity to ask whether you would be interested in getting Crown Records back on track. He has asked you to email him your thoughts on that.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Leslie McLean
P.A. to Director – Crown Corp
Allen drummed his fingers absently on the keyboard as he thought on the words. They wanted to meet him? Why?
He remembered Fou say that something like this might happen but then again, so soon? He wasn't ready!
A knock on his room's door snapped him from his reverie.
"Allen?"
It was Bak.
"Oh, hi!" Allen said quickly. Bak walked in and handed him a glass of orange juice.
"Fou told me about the Crown Corp thing," he said as he sat down on one of the bean bags. Tim bounded in from no where and began snuggling against his legs, making Allen giggle.
Bak smiled at that innocent smile that currently graced Allen's face – an activity that took years of love and trust to culture and develop. He had his reservations about sending Allen back into population, but the more rational side knew that he couldn't stay in a cocoon forever. He needed to equip Allen to survive and thrive, let that talent be recognized and cultivated.
Allen looked at him, an indescribable look in his usually open, gray eyes.
"I don't know, Bak – I don't want to leave this place," he said softly.
"You're not leaving us forever! It's time you showed the world what you're made of!" Bak said, thumping his shoulder energetically
Allen looked at him feeling indebted, grateful and overjoyed. After Tiedoll's death, Komui had tried to fill in the gap but as the school board was being a pain, he too had to leave.
In a twisted way, he was glad Kanda betrayed him – he wouldn't have met Bak Chan otherwise. A person who had succeeded in getting him out of the rut and making him comfortable in his own skin.
Maybe, maybe this time, it would be different.
Author's Note: I will be honest - I won't promise next chapter update dates but rest assured, I will update it soon. I will try to update on a monthly basis as of now and see if I can get my update schedules tighter.
Ciao!
